Havelock Pregnancy Center gets donation for ultrasound

Leo Munday, second from right, and Frank Schwarz, right, of the Knights of Columbus, present a $28,000 check to Cindy Springston and John McCastle of the Havelock Pregnancy Resource Center. The money will go toward the purchase of an ultrasound machine that officials hope will convince women not to have an abortion.

Ken Buday/Havelock News

By Ken Buday, Havelock News

Published: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 03:11 PM.

Thanks to the Knights of Columbus, the Havelock Pregnancy Resource Center now has a machine it believes will save lives.

Knights of Columbus No. 6648, along with the help of residents, businesses and the national Knights organization, donated $28,000 to the center for the purchase of an ultrasound machine.

"Thankfully, we’re at the point where we can give this check to the center so they can go get the machine that can help save lives," Leo Munday of the Knights of Columbus said during a check presentation ceremony. "It’s all about pro-life for us as the Knights of Columbus."

The fundraising effort started in the fall and included a dinner and silent auction as well as solicitation of businesses in and out of Havelock.

"What this does is help the center show these young mothers or any mother that what you have in you, whether it’s one day old or 20 weeks old, is a human life," Munday said. "Hopefully by them seeing that ultrasound of their baby, they’ll make the right decision to keep it."

John McCastle, a member of the center’s board, said 85 to 90 percent of women considering abortion who see the image of their fetus on an ultrasound decide against the procedure.

"It’s the most powerful tool and instrument the pro-life community has," he said. "As a result of the faithful efforts and hard work of the Knights, this community will be able to declare and reveal the real value and the real truth of those unborn children to their parents."

Thanks to the Knights of Columbus, the Havelock Pregnancy Resource Center now has a machine it believes will save lives.

Knights of Columbus No. 6648, along with the help of residents, businesses and the national Knights organization, donated $28,000 to the center for the purchase of an ultrasound machine.

"Thankfully, we’re at the point where we can give this check to the center so they can go get the machine that can help save lives," Leo Munday of the Knights of Columbus said during a check presentation ceremony. "It’s all about pro-life for us as the Knights of Columbus."

The fundraising effort started in the fall and included a dinner and silent auction as well as solicitation of businesses in and out of Havelock.

"What this does is help the center show these young mothers or any mother that what you have in you, whether it’s one day old or 20 weeks old, is a human life," Munday said. "Hopefully by them seeing that ultrasound of their baby, they’ll make the right decision to keep it."

John McCastle, a member of the center’s board, said 85 to 90 percent of women considering abortion who see the image of their fetus on an ultrasound decide against the procedure.

"It’s the most powerful tool and instrument the pro-life community has," he said. "As a result of the faithful efforts and hard work of the Knights, this community will be able to declare and reveal the real value and the real truth of those unborn children to their parents."

He said the Bible teaches that God has a plan and purpose for everyone.

"This is a great opportunity to be able to put into action a way for those who would be otherwise potentially aborted to live out God’s plan for their life," he said.

Cindy Springston, executive director of the center, said the nonprofit center has seen an increase in its clients since March and believes the ultrasound will make a difference.

"It’s so incredible," she said. "It is going to be such a valuable tool to the ladies who are coming in and making the decision. We’ll be able to give them an informed choice when they see that child on the ultrasound, so it’s just such an awesome thing."

The ultrasound machine is expected to arrive at the center on Aug. 8, and after some training, will be ready for use.

Along with offering free pregnancy tests, the center also has items available for expectant mothers as well as babies, such as clothing, diapers and toys.

The center is located in Suite 18 of the East Professional Plaza at 925 East Main St.

For more information, call 444-4772, email havelockprc@gmail.com or go online to the center website at www.havelockprc.org.